Governor Monday Okpebholo has once again made headlines, but not for good policies or transformative ideas. Instead, the Edo State leader has decided that his first major act of governance should be hunting down government vehicles allegedly lounging in private hands.
On Thursday in Benin City, Okpebholo inaugurated a 12-member committee led by Kelly Okungbowa, tasking them with recovering these “misplaced” vehicles within two weeks. According to the governor, it’s apparently a top priority to retrieve every single government car that may have found its way into private garages. The chairman of this committee seems quite enthusiastic about the task, thanking the governor for trusting them to handle what he called a serious assignment.
“Many vehicles from the past administration are missing,” Okungbowa declared, as though unveiling a crime wave gripping the state. He went on to explain that the committee already has “vital information” about certain individuals holding onto these vehicles and promised to act according to the law. To show how serious they are, the committee even provided a hotline for the public to snitch on anyone harboring a government vehicle.
Since assuming office, the governor has made a habit of undoing the legacy of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. Sacking appointees, reversing policies, and now chasing down government property this seems less like governance and more like a continuation of a bitter feud. Does Okpebholo need a reminder that Obaseki has completed his term and moved on? It’s almost as if the new governor believes his mandate is to erase any trace of his predecessor’s time in office rather than charting a new course for Edo State.
While the recovery of government property may have some merit, it’s hard to ignore the pettiness and misdirected energy surrounding this exercise. Governance is not about settling scores or flexing power; it’s about addressing the needs of the people. At a time when citizens are clamoring for better roads, more schools, and job opportunities, Okpebholo’s focus on vehicles feels too petty
So, Governor Okpebholo, here’s a piece of unsolicited advice: let the cars go. Redirect your energy toward improving governance, empowering citizens, and delivering on the promises you made during your campaign. Stop fighting shadows and start leading. The people of Edo State deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare over petty politics.
